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Greek-Inspired Meatball Bowls

Greek-Inspired Meatball Bowls

These Greek-Inspired Meatball Bowls feature meatballs infused with dill, mint, and scallions, served over orzo with a yogurt sauce.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • large rimmed baking sheet
  • Box grater
  • small saucepan
  • kitchen towel

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture

  • ¾ cup panko
  • 3 small scallions, thinly sliced (about ½ cup), plus more for garnish
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
  • 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (1 ½ tablespoons)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 ⅓ cups plain whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt , divided
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill , divided, plus more for garnish
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt , divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper , divided
  • 1 pound 85/15 lean ground beef

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

  • 4 Persian cucumbers , divided
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil , divided

Orzo Cooking

  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 ½ cups uncooked orzo
  • 3 cups chicken stock

For Serving

  • Lemon wedges
  • shredded romaine lettuce hearts
  • crumbled feta cheese
  • kalamata olives
  • halved cherry tomatoes

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Stir together panko, scallions, mint, garlic, egg, ⅓ cup yogurt, ¼ cup dill, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Let stand 10 minutes.
  • Add beef to panko mixture and stir together until just combined. Shape beef mixture into 20 (about 1 ¾-inch) meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each). Arrange meatballs evenly spaced apart on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Chill for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, grate 2 cucumbers on the largest holes of a box grater into a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze cucumbers over a sink to remove excess water; place cucumbers in a small bowl. Add lemon zest and juice, 2 tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and remaining 1 cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon dill, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; stir to combine, adding 2 to 3 teaspoons water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency. Refrigerate yogurt sauce until ready to use. Cut remaining 2 cucumbers into half-moons; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat source. Halve onion and finely chop 1 half. Thinly slice remaining onion half; set aside. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium. Add finely chopped onion half and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add orzo; cook, stirring constantly, until orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente, 9 to 10 minutes.
  • While orzo cooks, broil meatballs until browned on both sides, 16 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time.
  • Divide orzo evenly among 4 bowls; top evenly with meatballs, reserved cucumber slices, desired amount of sliced onion half, and yogurt sauce. Squeeze 1 small lemon wedge over each serving. Top with romaine lettuce, feta, olives, and tomatoes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 20mg
Keyword dill, Healthy, meatballs, mint, orzo, yogurt sauce
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